Mainz vs. Liverpool: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

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It was Klopp who put Mainz on the footballing map when their former player took them up to the Bundesliga for the first time in 2004. He also set a trend for coaches who previously worked or played at the club, with Thomas Tuchel just another one of Svensson's illustrious predecessors. The Dane has only been in the job since January but already has his place in 05ers' folklore secured after he saved them from seemingly certain relegation with the best Rückrunde in the team's top-flight history. In fact, it was Klopp who signed Svensson as a player in 2007 and the current Liverpool manager recently lavished praise on the incumbent at the Mewa Arena. This is Mainz's third pre-season friendly of the summer, after 11-0 and 2-1 wins over Planig and Würzburger Kickers respectively. Both line-ups have been close to what many would consider the 05ers' likely team come their opening Bundesliga game against RB Leipzig on 15 August - expect to see the same again at the Greisbergers Betten-Arena in Grödig, Austria.

Klopp spent seven years as a coach at Mainz before another stint of the same length at Borussia Dortmund, where he won two Bundesliga titles. The 54-year-old has been in charge on Merseyside since October 2015 and guided Liverpool to a first league title in three decades. He and his squad are in Austria as they prepare for the 2021/22 campaign, beginning pre-season earlier in the week with two 1-1 draws over 30 minutes each against VfB Stuttgart and Wacker Innsbruck. The Liverpool squad is smattered with former Bundesliga players, including Loris Karius (also previously of Mainz), Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip, Naby Keita, Thiago, Xherdan Shaqiri, Roberto Firmino and Divock Origi. Missing from the travelling party are players who were in action for their countries over the summer, such as goalkeeper Alisson and captain Jordan Henderson.

Match stats

Liverpool manager Klopp led Mainz to their first ever Bundesliga promotion in 2004.

Svensson has a higher win percentage with Mainz (45%) than did Klopp (40%), however.

In Konate, Keita and Origi, Liverpool have three likely starters who were previously in the Bundesliga. Thiago, Firmino, Karius, Shaqiri and Matip have also played in Germany.

Jean-Philippe Mateta and Robin Quaison each had a hand in a team-high eight Bundesliga goals last season. With both gone, youngsters like Ben Bobzien have a chance to shine.

Mainz have not missed one of their last 25 penalties in the Bundesliga. Full-back Daniel Brosinski has scored eight of those.

Mainz and Liverpool have met once before in friendly action, the 05ers picking up a 4-0 win in August 2016. Brosinski opened the scoring that day.

Probable line-ups

Mainz: Zentner - St. Juste, Bell, Niakhate (c) - Brosinski, Rupil, Kohr, Meier - Stöger - Bobzien, Boetius

Out: -

Doubtful: Lee (ankle)

Coach: Bo Svensson

Liverpool: Kelleher - Williams, Phillips, Konate, Tsimikas - Keita, Milner (c), Jones - Elliott, Origi, Minamino

Out: -

Doubtful: Alexander-Arnold (thigh), Gomez (knee), Matip (Ankle), Van Dijk (knee)

Coach: Jürgen Klopp